Sheep figure from the Tai Wan site on Lamma Island, near Hong Kong. From the Spring and Autumn period (776 BCE- 476 BCE).The body is decorated with a comb pattern and is thinly glazed in green. The tail is short and fat. Its limbs were broken by the time of excavation. The same type of fired animal figurine was found at a kiln site at Meihuadun, Boluo county, Guangdong.This pottery sheep was probably produced by the kilns in the hinterlands of the Pearl River Delta, and was imported to Hong Kong by means of barter trade.

Image 02

Jar (guan), from Lantau Island, Hong Kong. Dated between the Western Zhou dynasty and
the Spring and Autumn period (c 11th century BCE- 476 BCE), it was a utensil for ancient inhabitants to hold and store food.
The upper half of this jar is decorated with 'double-F pattern', while the lower half a checker pattern.
This kind of pottery vessel became widely distributed in the region of Lingnan. A kiln for firing pottery with the 'double-F' pattern was found at
Meihuadun, Boluo County, Guangdong.
Many pottery vessels with a 'double-F' pattern were found in Hong Kong, but no kiln site has yet been discovered. The vessels probably come from
the hinterlands of the Pearl River Delta.

Image 03

Three-legged jars such as this, from the Pak Mong site on Lantau Island, are commonly
seen in the tombs of the early Western Han dynasty in Guangdong. It is presumed that it is a utensil for holding food.
The body of the vessel is decorated with ten raised lines (known as the bow-string pattern) and a comb pattern in a narrow band.
It is very similar to those found in Guangdong in terms of form, decorative pattern and time period. This example is dated to around the Western
Han dynasty (202 BCE- 8 BCE).

Image 04

Wood- working tool known as 'Adze'. Found at Tai Wan on Lamma Island and dated to the
Shang era (c 17th century BCE- 11th century BCE), this type of artifact is commonly found at Hong Kong sites.
It can also be used for wood-finishing and is usually hafted to a handle.
This stone adze consists of a step and shoulder, and its size is large (22.3 cm in length).
It is made of sandstone and its texture is soft and loose. The workmanship of it is refined, indicating that it may be a ritual ware for
sacrificial ceremonies.

Image 05

A kind of painted pottery known as 'polychrome'. Found at the Tai Wan site on Lamma
Island, this pottery vessel is colored and decorated with paint after biscuit firing.
The vessel is then fired again in a reduced atmosphere, allowing the paint to adhere to the clay.
This pottery basin is especially characteristic, known as the 'Tai Wan' type of polychrome basin. Perforations are commonly seen pierced on the
ring foot, alongside the incised undulated lines.
The design seems to imitate the splashing water waves in a rolling sea. The depiction is lively and is reflecting the adoration of the inhabitants
for water.
This ware was probably used by prehistoric fishermen during sacrificial ceremonies performed for sea deities, as it dates to the Neolithic period
(c 6000 BCE- 5000 BCE).

Image 06

Polychrome shards from the site of Huangsha, Shenzhen. Their designs are varied.

Image 07

Unearthed from Da Wan and dating to the Shang era (c 17th century BCE- 11th century
BCE), this necklace is of high academic and artistic values, as it is the only adornment corresponding to the Shang dynasty found in Hong Kong.
The necklace is made of entirely of jade and consists of disks, triangles, tubes and beads. The thread has deteriorated. The set is positioned
according to the location of each piece found during excavation.
The thread- holes of some pieces are worn, indicating the necklace had been in use for a long period of time.

Image 08

In March 1990, a vast miniature terracotta army was discovered in 24 pits south of the
mausoleum of Han Jingdi.
The pits cover 96,000 square meters, five times the total area of Qin Shihuangdi's four pits; preliminary reports indicate that they include a
minimum of 40,000 figures.
One third life size, the figures had flexible arms and after being modeled and painted flesh- color with black hair eyebrows, and eyes, were clad
in silk or hempen clothing.

Image 09

A primitive axe head found at an archaeological site in China.

Image 10

An artifact found along the Silk Route in China's Xinjiang province. Dating methods
place this figure in the 7th century CE.

Image 11

From the Banpo site, near Xi'an. Artifacts such as this clay pot are on display in the
museums at Banpo Village.

Image 12

Oldest playable musical instruments found at Jiahu early Neolithic site, associated
with the Peiligang culture and dating from 7000 BCE to 5800 BCE.